In the Community Plan there are scorecards with key aspirations for 2030. Below shows these aspirations with a status update and some key activity to move the partnership closer to achieving them:
Economy
Gross weekly pay among local residents: static
Gross weekly pay among those working in Angus: improving
Employment rate: improving
The EmployabiliTAY regional programme has focused on supporting people into work. From this project 26 people moved into jobs and overall there was Improved participation of those furthest from the job market and from the most deprived Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) areas across Tayside.
A new fund PESF (Parental Employability Support Fund) will be used to up-skill those already in work. A delivery plan will be in place for this 3 year funding by early 2020.
Least underemployment: worsening
Skills Development Scotland have refocused their Regional Skills Assessment interactive tool to focus on demand-side evidence. They highlight economic and labour market data, offering trends, forecasts and insight for RSA regions, City Regions, Growth Deal areas and Local Authorities. The new Regional Skills Assessment Data Matrix is an interactive tool, offering data from a variety of sources in a visually engaging format. The data covers three themes:
Skills Supply: the supply of people within the labour market
Skills Demand: the demand for skills within the labour market
Skills Mismatches: where there is a gap between the demand for skills and the supply of skills within the labour market.
This will assist local authorities, partners and City Deal areas to focus their resources in areas which will have the biggest impact.
https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/skills-planning/regional-skills-assessments/
Least percentage of vacant retail units: improving
In the annual SLAED report 2017/18 based on the 26 councils that provided Survey data for this indicator, the overall estimated number of retail units in Scottish town centres in 2017/18 was 22,879 of which 2,628 were vacant or void which represents a 11.5% vacancy rate across Scotland. This is an increase on the 2016/17 figure of 10.2%. The Angus figure was above this average at 14.9% but we have seen significant investments in 2018/19 in Orchardbank and Montrose which will show an improving figure.
Premises able to access broadband speeds of at least 24Megabits per second: improving
£500,000 has been allocated through Tay Cities deal to support the roll-out of faster broadband services
16-19-year-olds in learning, training or work: improving
Reducing Child Poverty project at Dundee & Angus College. Since the project launch in March 2019 we have engaged over 150 young people; reintroducing many of them to learning, training or work.
Re-branded Find Your Future, we have two streams operating two separate but closely linked sets of activities comprising Academy Provision and Community Engagement. Funding will see 2 academies per academic year and ongoing outreach throughout Dundee and Angus, ending July 2021.
People
Children living in poverty: worsening
Local Child Poverty Action Report published in May 2019 and is being delivered through a short life working group with a focus on SIMD most deprived areas
Contact made with Angus Carers with a view to referring families where vulnerability is established.
Least number of people of working age with no or low qualification: improving
Angus has the highest rate of young people going in to further education – Dundee and Angus College have a varied prospectus which accurately reflects the needs of the local economy. This is further supported by the poverty programmes and work to ensure access for all across the partnership.
Least women smoking during pregnancy: worsening
Public Health smoking cessation service engaged in awareness-raising with welfare rights/advice sector staff regarding the potential benefits for clients of giving up smoking and offering advice on raising the issue with clients. This focuses on smoking cessation incentive schemes (Quit 4 You and Give it up for Baby) as well as the costs of smoking.
Children with a healthy weight at Primary 1 age group: worsening
A new breast buddies initiative has been developed to support new and existing parents with breastfeeding. This also includes support for those minority groups where English is a second language.
Percentage of secondary pupils from deprived areas achieving 5+ SCQF awards at level 5 or higher: worsening
Through the Reducing Child Poverty fund, we are piloting a project with Arbroath Academy; supporting those pupils disengaged and unlikely to reach a positive destination. The project will see fortnightly sessions at the Arbroath campus focusing on building essential, social skills and an improved mind-set to education and progression. It is hoped that these pupils will positively progress to college or training next year.
Percentage of secondary pupils achieving 5+ SCQF awards at level 5 or higher: static
Secondary schools focus on ensuring that all young people achieve the highest possible level of literacy and numeracy by the time they leave. Systems are in place to ensure that young people studying a course award at National 4 are given the opportunity to achieve the necessary level 5 unit if appropriate
Numbers of adults involved in volunteering: static
The Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) are groups of up to 24 young people (aged 10-18 years) based across Scotland. Supported by adult volunteers and led by a police constable. The PSYV volunteer at community and national events across Scotland. The PSYV programme aims to strengthen the relationship with the police and young people, breaking down barriers and promoting positive role models. The PSYV promotes a practical way for young people to understand policing by supporting the Police in their local area through volunteering. As part of this, young people are given a chance for their voice to be heard and encouraged to promote good citizenship. The Angus PSYV coordinator is Constable Paul Morgan and there are currently 18 youth volunteers. In addition there are 10 adult volunteers, three of whom are police officers based in Angus.
The Special Constabulary is embedded within the structure of Police Scotland, providing efficient and effective policing in keeping people safe. It is seen as an attractive volunteering opportunity for members of the public to contribute to enhancing the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities in Scotland. There are currently over 60 SPCs in D Division.
Adults identifying themselves as internet users: static
Communities Team initiated the Digi-Ken project recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers to support tuition for adults with no, or very basic, digital literacy skills to tackle those families experiencing exclusion through lack of digital skills.
Number of people able to look after their own health: improving
Police Scotland supports this through the submission of reports on the Vulnerable Person Database where concerns are identified in respect of adults or children. VPDs are assessed and information shared where appropriate with partners to ensure they are provided with appropriate support.
A referral pathway to Penumbra has been established in Angus for individuals with suicidal ideation.
The Divisional Preventions and Interventions Department has been working with Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, the national charity which supports anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use in Scotland. SFAD provides information, advice and help with confidence, communication, general wellbeing, and links to local support. They also help people recognise and understand the importance of looking after themselves. This support is available for close and extended family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and others.
Police Scotland’s Repeat Caller Process is a policing model to identify and support people who repeatedly call the Police for help. The focus of this model is to identify, risk assess and problem solve, people who may be under our organisational ‘radar’.
The objective of the process is to provide an intervention to manage and reduce that risk. This process provides support to those in our community who need our help. The following principles apply;
- reduce the number of telephone calls made to the police for assistance.
- meet with people and provide reassurance whilst assessing risk and vulnerability.
- tackle identified issues of threat, risk and harm within the community as identified by the Repeat Caller process.
- problem solve utilising police tactical options and through working in partnership
Least rate of death under 75 (per 100,000): improving
The Angus Mental Health and Wellbeing Network has been developed to include
- prevention and advice for children, young people, working-age adults and older people
- Suicide prevention
- promoting resilience and self-management
- Mental health and wellbeing in primary care.
- actively tackling stigma and promoting a positive mental health message
- acts as Angus resource to respond to regional and national consultations
- commissioning training e.g. Commissioning Mental Health First Aid courses, suicide prevention skills training
Place
Adults stating their neighbourhood is a good place to live: static
Crime and Antisocial Behaviour hot spots are identified and multi-agency work carried out to alleviate any issues and neighbourhood concerns. Close partnership working with Angus ASBT and Housing Associations, Community Teams, Community Wardens and Community Groups.
Continued rollout of the Keep Safe Initiative. 18 premises within Angus have signed up to the Keep Safe initiative with a view to staff being trained.
Each of the local Third Party Reporting Centre’s in Tayside has been contacted to identify any concerns and to offer refresher training for staff. Work is ongoing to identify further centres and raise public awareness of these. National Safer Communities is undertaking a review of third party reporting processes. Further information about Hate Crime and Third Party Reporting can be found on the Police Scotland internet site at: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/hate-crime/
Least recorded crimes and offences (per 10,000): improving
The Divisional Preventions and Interventions department works closely with internal and external partners to protect those most vulnerable in our communities, identify crime and antisocial hotspots, and emerging issues to ensure an effective partnership response. Opportunities are identified for early and effective intervention and crime prevention advice and information is disseminated via staff, partners and via social media.
Known offenders are robustly managed to deter and monitor their involvement in criminality through the judicial process. Imminent prison releases are monitored to ensure SPS, Police and CJSW work collectively to monitor those known for serious crime, most specifically violence.
Angus Offender Management Unit are a specialist unit responsible for managing sex offenders, and in conjunction with partners, mitigate the risk such persons present to the community.
Bail conditions, such as curfews are requested of the courts by Police on a daily basis when an offender appears in court. The purpose of such conditions is always to maximise the safety to potential victims and curtail an offender’s involvement in criminality, where possible. Such conditions are also closely monitored by Police and form part of daily tasking of all response officers.
Local crime prevention is a significant part of the local community policing teams. Community officers, in conjunction with the Divisional Preventions and Interventions Department, work to raise awareness and educate our communities about how to prevent crime. They regularly designate weeks of action to specific crime types, such as doorstep callers and financial scams.
Least rate of primary fires (per 100,000): improving
As per Community Plan, baseline 2017 Angus figure for rate of primary dwelling fires per 100,000 was 81.3. For 2018/19 rate is now 67.8. This is based on Angus population of 118,000 and a 3-year rolling average.
People who are vulnerable (e.g. those with health conditions) are twice more likely to become a victim of fire. Therefore, our absolute focus over the past 3 years has been targeting our home safety visit service at the most vulnerable people in our communities. In support of this approach, we now have over 30 partners referring in the most vulnerable people in our community to the fire service for home safety visits. During 2018/19, over 630 home safety visits were conducted within the homes of the most vulnerable people in Angus.
Recycling rate: improving
A ‘right stuff, right bin’ communications campaign was started and a redesign of recycling centre provision implemented from February 2019. This has led to significant improvement in recycling performance at recycling centres. The recycling rate at Centres for the period February to July 2019 has seen a 16% increase from 51% in 2018 to 67% in 2019.
Fuel Poverty (local authority): improving
Dwellings below tolerable standard: improving
The Council has developed a Below Tolerable Standard (BTS) strategy 2019-24 to comply with the requirements of section 10 of the Housing (Scotland) Act placing a duty to improve, close or demolish houses which do not meet the tolerable standard. In Angus there are around 54,800 dwellings and approximately 53,000 of these are occupied. Around 42,000 of these are owned by, and the responsibility of private owners. The Council takes a proactive approach to encourage owner-occupants to address the elements that render a property BTS. They will be encouraged to take responsibility for the repairs and maintenance of the property and will be offered:
- advice and information to help facilitate the repairs
- referral for private water supply grants
- referral to Home Energy Scotland (HES) / Save Cash and Reduce Fuel (SCARF) for advice and assistance relating to thermal insulation. Utilising local knowledge and staff expertise, the Council can provide guidance to help owner-occupiers address BTS housing in a practical way that suits their needs.
Percentage dwellings that meet the energy efficiency standard: static
99% of Angus Council housing stock have an average Energy Performance Certificate rating of 70.39
During 2018-19 the Council added 41 new properties to its affordable rented housing stock and worked with partners to facilitate a further 95 affordable units being delivered in Angus. 73.1% of Council stock meets the Energy Efficiency in Scottish Social Housing (EESSH) standard.
The Council engaged with local tenants’ forums and continued to improve the quality of the existing housing stock by installing 326 new kitchens, upgrading 235 heating systems, and 32 bathrooms, replacing windows in 89 properties, and externally/internally insulating 646 flats and houses, whilst carrying out environmental improvements across the area to make our estates more attractive and accessible.
We provided good quality design through the publication of Supplementary Guidance on Design and Placemaking in October 2018, the re-launch of the Angus Design Awards Scheme in October 2018 and, the Design Awards Ceremony in April 2019. The Design Awards Scheme generated 44 entries including a range of housing and commercial projects.
Active travel to school by primary and secondary pupils: improving
Building on the work done in the Angus Active Travel Strategy there are a number of actions underway to encourage walking, cycling and use of electric vehicles:
Funding was secured through the Transport Scotland's Low Carbon Travel and Transport (LCTT) fund to create a charging hub at Orchardbank in Forfar. It will be located adjacent to the A90 corridor, the main north-south route through eastern Scotland, and provide a “service centre” type solution where people stop for a quick charge. The hub will consist of 28 new spaces with 9 charging points including 4 rapid units, 3 fast and 2 slow.
The project also intends to generate energy to support the charging points from installing solar canopies.